Spring connection for vehicles.



E. w. SERRELL. SPRING CONNECTION FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE25, l 9I2.

1,167,940, Patented Jan. 11, 1916. 2 sncns suen 1.

FIG-3 I E. W. SERRELL. SPRING CONNECTION FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILEDJUNE 25, 191.2.

1,167,940.." Patented Jan.11,1-916. 2 SHEETS-SHEET '2.

I SERRELL,

SPRING CONNECTION FOR VEHICLES.

' T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD WILLIAM a citizen of the United States, atpresent residinga at Chabeuil, Drome, France, (whose post-o Rocklandcounty, New York,') have invented a new and useful Improvement in SpringConnections for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vehicle springs.

The .primary object of the invention is to provide such an arrangementand coaction of components of a vehicle suspension structure that theaction of such components (or at least of certain of them) mayautomatically be modified in accordance with the relative position whichsuch components may assume under difierent conditions of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure in which, whenthe relative position of said components is varied-as a result, forinstance, of changes of load or ine ualities of the road-surface-moreeffective action of certain of the components is rendered possible, sothat the leverage of other of the components,-the springs, say-maythereby be automatically varied in order to cause the various componentsto rearrange themselves and become more sen sitive whereby the structurein general is caused to absorb shocks, etc., and automatically toreadjust the effective resistant action of such spring not only to thevarying weight carried, but, at the same time, to render it capable ofperforming its designed function under extreme conditions, such as theencountering of deep depressions in or high elevations of theroad-surface.

Another object of the invention is so to aggroup the parts that dangerof breaking thereof is reduced to a minimum; and, if they dobreak, thenthe structure will still operate to perform its function, though,perhaps, less effectually.

The invention resides in certain novel parts, aggroupments andimprovements, all as herein shown and described.

In the acompanying drawings, I have illustrated various embodiments ofthe invention, and. the same will serve in connection with the followingdescription to explain its general and underlying principles:

in these drawings: Figure 1 is a View in Specification of LettersPatent.

ce address is Pearl River,

Patented Jan. 11,1916,

' Application filed June 25, 1912. Serial No. 705,740.

elevation, and more or less diagrammatic,-of a structure embodying oneform of device which I contemplate; Figs. 2, 3 and' l are similar views,showing the parts in the different positions which they assume in actionand under changing conditions of load, etc.; Fig. 5 is a view in plan,somewhat fragmentary, but enlarged to show the relation of the aggroupedcomponents of the structure; Fig. 6 is also a fragmentary view, inelevation, of a modified'form of structure, and showing the normalposition of the parts in full lines and, in dotted lines, the shiftedposition thereof resulting from a change of the load-condition, or thelike; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of a modified form ofstructure; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view in elevation of still anothermodification; and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrative (on a largerscale) of difierent positions of the parts of the structure shown inFig. 8.

1 Referring to the drawings, and to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, thereference-character'A designates a supporting-component adapted to beconnected or otherwise attached to any ap- .stitutesustaininginstrumentalities for certain structure now to be described:

Depending from the frame B and occupying a normal position between thestandards C C and C C, are hangers D and D, there tie ing one of theseat each side of the axle ponents. p

The contiguous ends of the standards and hangers are provided, each,with an axis denoted, at one side by the ters E and F, respectively, andat the other by E and F. These constitute efiicient fulera for alever-system now to be described. At the fulcra E and E are suitablyattached a pair of upper levers G and. G G of said system; and, likewiseat F and F are attached a pair of lower levers H H and These constitutelever-sustaining com-.

(land C C, of

reference-characof a spring K, and which at its opposite end isconnected to an attaching-member J which fulcrums on the axis 1. Foradjusting the tension of this spring and adjusting the relation of theparts, a device (in the form of a nut L) may be provided which in thisinstance is shown as interposed between the spring K and the attaching"member J.

The action and coaction of these parts will,

be manifest The weight borne by the frame B tends to rock the two setsof levers on their respective axes (from the position shown in Fig. l)away from each other and toward the vertical position shown in'Fig.Naturally, this movement of the levers effects a tensioning of thespring K so that its tendency then is to draw the levers back toward ahorizontal position, as shown in Fig. 3. Necessarily, when the weight onthe supported parts or a sudden upward or downward movement of thesupport-eflects a change of relation between the frame B and the supportA, the lever-system is actuated and the spring K tensioned, and,obviously, the extent of actuation of the parts determines the degree oftension (if any of the spring. A condition of equilibrium, so to speak,is dependent upon the extent of tension on the spring and the weight ofthe supported parts. It the weight and load remain the same and theequilibrium is established, then it would be disturbed whenever therelation of the frame B and support A is changed by reason of a changein anv of the conditions mentioned. Even a slight shock will change thatrelation, and thereupon the lever-system becomes active to transfer themovement or shock to the resilient-component K, which component, as

aforementioned. is influenced by action of that system. In this way, thestructure readily and smoothly absorbs the shock.

If the load, that is to say, the total weight carried by the frame B, isincreased, the levers are caused to reckon their respective fulcra andassume a. new position of equilibrium, and, in consequence, the tensionor stress on the resilient component K is increased, though thisincrease is not necessarilv in direct proportion to the increase of theload, for the reason that the levers will then have assumed a differentangle.

if, as a result of a rather extreme shock imposed on the structure, thelevers are moved incense toward a straight line, it is evident that theeifective action of the spring is rendered even greater. But,,no matterhow great may be the shock communicated to the parts, the levers willnever entirely overcome the action of the spring and be drawn into astraight vertical line, in prolongation one of the other. Hence, itbecomes clear that the eiliciency of the spring increases with theincrease of its tension and that its effective resistance and itscontrol of the parts increase very rapidly as the angle between thelevers increases. In the event of a shock operating to relieve thelevers from the weight of the frame l3, they will be drawn by the springK to the'position shown in Fig. 3: In this position, the tension on thespring is at aminimum. It, now, this position is passed-as a result, forinstance, of a reboundso that the levers move to assume the positionillustrated in Fig. 4, the spring will again be subjected to anincreasing tension because the levers will have moved beyond the centersof oscillation. Thereupon, the spring will act as elliciently incounteracting the rebound as when-carrving the load. It, therefore,follows that, in addition to being sensitive to all minor shocks andjars, the structure (including the spring) is very etiicient for theheaviest of shocks; and, moreover, it can never be actuated bevond asafe and yielding action.

Being self, -adjusting to var'ving' conditions, it has the importantcapacity of adapting itself to meet those conditions, whatever they areand whether great or minor. lvloreover, should the spring K fracture orsuddenly weaken, the levers themselves will then adjust themselves to anapproximately alined position and elliciently become the support betweenthe vehicle-body and wheels.

In Fig. 6, I have shown. a modification of the structure just described:This form is well adapted for the situation where the extent of movementof the supported parts must be great and the action of 'the resilientcontrolling-component correspondingly short: In this instance, in lieuof the spring K, employed in the first-mentioned embodiment, springs Mand M are employed; and connected to these is another set of threelevers N. N and O, which are jointed to levers G and H adapted tofulcrum on the standard C and hanger D: In this form of structure, aposition of equilibrium is indicated in Fig 6 by the full lines, whilethe position of maximum tension is denoted by the dotted lines.

When the general structure of a vehicle will permit the employment ofsprings of relatively great elongation to reduce the stresses andconsequent friction, I may utiline the modified form of structureillustrated in 7, wherein the levers G, G are of considerable length toprovide the which portions 9, g, respectively, and to is atportions, attheir lower extremities,

tached the spring K. The axes of these levers-of toggle-lever form-thenserve as fulcra also.

It will now be obvious that, by proper adaptation and proportioning ofthe levercomponents, by their initial positioning at predeterminedangular relation, and by prowhich there is combined withmy invention aleaf-spring P of ordinary construction,

and the stiffness of quired degree because bility will which may be ofany rethe necessary flexiing the salient features of my invention. In

this instance, the construction includes the axle A and theaforementioned spring P which is, preferably and as shown, at one of'itsends, at P", to the pendant hanger .D secured to the vehicle-frame 'B,and at the other end is jointed (at U)" to the levers G" which. in thisform, are of the bellcrank type, and to the lower ends of which areattached levers H. These latter levers fulcrum on the lower ends of thehangers D. Pivoted at Q, intermediatelv of the upper arm of the lever G,is another lever S, having a fulcrum on a stop R, provided at the sameend of K is attached to the free end of the lever S, at a-point whichmay be varied atwill, and to the leaf-spring P, preferably ontheopposite side of the axle from where the lever G is located. With suchan arrangement of the parts, the best results arelusually obtainablewhen the position an tension of the spring K are such that the lever Gwill remain in nearly a horizontal plane under the ordinary weight ofthe vehicle when unloaded. When. however, the parts are sustaining afull load. the position of equilibrium'will have shifted so that thelever G will be positioned at an angle of approximately 35 to 40 fromthe horizontal. Then, in the event of a heavy shock, the action of thespring will be such that said lever G will assume a position nearlvvertical. as indicated by dotted line in Fig. 8. In Fig. 9 are shown therelative positions of the various components of the structure when thevehicle-body rebounds: Then, the lever S engages a stop T suitablymounted on the vehicle-frame B and the upward. movement of the body isnicely controlled by the springs and their coaction with the jects andadvantages.

- shown,

be a necessary incident of the components combined therewith constitutattached G. The spiral spring mediate toggle links levers as they rockon their axes, until the parts assume the position indicated in dottedlines, inthe latter-named figure.

It is obvious that my structure may be applied to any other appropriatepart of the vehicle than that already referred to, as for instance, tocarriage-seats. It may also be applied a to bicycle-saddles.

From the foregoing it will be understood thatthe various parts anddevices, singly a reliable control of the vehicle bodyno matter What mayroad-surface; and that'a structure has been provided whichrealizes theobjects of the invention and the advantages therein as herein setforth,together with other ob- The invention in its broader aspects is notlimited to the particular construction by which it has been or may beeffect, except in 'so far as elestruction carried into -ments arehereinbefore specified as essential; and obviously many. changes may bemade'in the construction without departing from the main and underlyingprinciple 0 the invention and without sa rificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with the frame and running gear of a vehicle, ofsupports projecting oppositely therefrom, toggle links between saidsupports capable. of alinement to keep the frame suspended in properlyspaced relation above the running gear, and a resilient member operatingnormally to draw said links into an angular position relatively to theplane of-alineme'nt- 2. The combination with normally lapped supportsprojecting from the running gear and frame of a vehicle respectively, oftoggle links pivotally connected to said'supports, said links beingcapable of substantial alinement, and a spring drawing upon the togglejoint of said links.

-3. A resilient suspension device for vehicles including, incombination, a plurality of supportsrising' from the running gear,coacting supports projecting oppositely thereto from the vehicle frame,interpivotally connected to the opposite supports sov as to formsuspending means operating therewith in like directions, and upon saidlinks at their toggle-joints.

4. In a resilient suspension device for vehicles, the combination ofin-curved posts standing in opposed relation upon the running gear,correspondingly curved hangers projecting from the vehicle-frame inposition to lap over said posts by crossing their respective curves,toggle links pivotally engaging contiguous posts and hangers, and anintermediate spring tensioned by the nor in fact to any particular con-.

a spring positioned to drawv and in their COOPGI'iLtlOIl, contrlbute toeffect be the inequalities of the 1 from the running gear,

togglejoints of said, links, operating normally to draw the latter outof said curves,

5., A spring-structure for vehicles comprising, in combination, asupporting me1nber located transversely With relation to the aXle of thevehicle, posts mounted upon the opposite ends thereof, hangersprojecting from the vehicle frame imposition to lap over said postsunder normal stress of the load on said frame, or by ascent of thesupporting member resulting from shocks thereon, and to rise above theposts at re bound, toggle levers having pivotal connections With theadjacent posts and hangers, and a tensioning spring attached to saidlevers on opposite sides of the axle.

6. In a spring structure for vehicles, the combination of a pair ofposts supported a pair of hangers depending from the vehicle frame inposition each to overlan one of said posts, toggle levers respectivelypivoted to the lapped post and hanger in the corresponding pairs, and aspring operatively connected at its meneee opposite ends to extensionsof said toggle levers 7. The combination with normally lapped andsubstantially rigid supports projecting from the running gear and frameof a vehicle respectively, of togglelinks pivotally connected to saidsupports, and a resilient member drawing upon the toggle joint of saidlinks, 4

8-, A resilient suspension device for vehicles including, .incombination, a plurality of supports rising from the running gear,coacting supports projecting oppositely thereto from the vehicle frame,intermediate links pivotally connected to the opposite supports, and aresilient member positioned. to draw upon said links at their togglejoints,

lin testimony whereof I aiiix my in presence of two Witnesses,

EDl VARD WllililAlil SERRELL. Witnesses:

Gnnnnmrn Proonn, Mame Vaereon,

signature

